watchesandwhisky

Hundred years of our BBC. Is this the one with Jimmy Saville on the reverse.

Giveaway Winners
Congratulations @richsmith84! Please private message me your shipping address, if possible please include the prize in the message subject line so it is easier to track, we will aim to get your prize dispatched next week 

Ebay Fraudster 2010keithr21 Revisited - Shop Name "Charity Aid The World Cares" Fake Charity?
I commented on this ebay seller very unfavourably only recently:
But he came back to my attention today, because our star photographer noticed he was using some of our high quality copyright photos "They are using a MOCK-UP image I did".
I have split his item listing into 3 screenshots:



Here is some of Doug's evidence:



I also commented further on another of  2010keithr21's many fakes he was fraudulently listing on ebay:
Where I showed his real name and contact details, as shown on his listing:
Keith Rutherford
13 Haynes Close
Newark, Tuxford
Nottinghamshire
NG22 0JA
United Kingdom
Hide contact information
Phone: 07812126715
Email: keithr21@gmail.com
His ebay "Shop" is in the name of Charity Aid The World Cares:

I suspect the charity is as fake as most if not all of the "coins" and other items he is offering for sale!
We will be taking action against him!
 

It doesnt matter when you start just keep going ive been here 2 years and nearly up to 700oz now but sadly I lost it all in a boating accident

Lawrence - you are a regular contributor to this forum and post useful and frequently entertaining articles - long may it continue !
Might I suggest something and seek your feedback -
We forum members generally ( and me definitely ) shop around for the best deals.
By way of an example I am buying the following coins shortly -
Tudor Yale in Platinum - 1 oz ( already ordered BbP )
Tudor Yale in Gold - 1 oz
Tudor Yale silver 2 oz and 10 oz
Then 2023 American Eagle, Britannia, Maple, Kookaburra, Libertad, Lunars, Panda, Koala, and some others for sets ....
Once the next Tudor series is released - repeat and I might consider the kilo silver if they mint a completer as they did with the Queens Beasts.
I am not purchasing many of these from Chards because I can get a lower price from BullionbyPost, Gold.Co, Atkinsons, Bleyer, Sharps Pixley, and others. Not necessarily every time on every coin but usually one of these is undercutting you and often not by much even down to the shipping only. However all provide excellent service so why pay £5 or sometimes much more when you need't ?
How about giving us forum members, those who subscribe, a code that means you will never knowingly be undersold on brand new coins and bars. I would gladly give you my orders because you are a great asset to this forum but if I can buy cheaper I will. I am not asking for cheaper only to match, why ? - because I like your contributions and the help you provide in assisting fellow members.
Maybe my modest order value is not of interest but consider how many other forum members are also purchasing from other mainstream dealers but it all adds up.

I think we should be celebrating the life of Queen Elizabeth II, and therefore I suggest we show our favourite coins from her reign.
My suggestion is the £25 quarter ounce gold Platinum Jubilee coin released earlier this year.

Sounds like the BBC "detector" vans, a load of rubbish! 

There are a number of members I will buy from without a thought. Mostly previous private sellers, @Paul for example.
Long term members @arshimo2012 @ilovesilverireallydo @richatthecroft @watchesandwhisky @Tn21
Then there are guys I will one day buy from because they are active members who have a keen interest in the forum, like @James32 and @Leonmarsh.
Guys who have an interest/business they want to protect, like @DuncanWylieWilson and @arphethean.
Don't be scared to deal on the forum, but build a relationship first. I've built some great relationships here.

The vans were real, it was only the stuff inside them that wasn't  
From the starting blanks, I'm pretty sure all commemorative proofs are only handled and looked at by a human before being boxed. This is what should make it special, but it clearly doesn't work out like that.
Automated striking and non-human visual checks are things that happen in the circulating and bullion production lines.

Welcome to the forum! 

2022 Gold £5 Quintuple Sovereign Brilliant Uncirculated Matt Finish-  Photos
I got to see these last week, and here are some photos:

It may not be easy to discern from the photos that these are matt finish, but comparison with a bullion version gold sovereign or double sovereign would make it obvious.

The matt finish does look better, and is likely to add to the long term appeal of these coins.

Now, if only they were in yellow gold!
😎
 

Other than a few RM sovereigns earlier this year, I’m completely new to precious metals. @BackyardBullionsignposted TSF on his YouTube vids and that’s how I found my way here and I’m so pleased I did.
Having set myself what I thought was quite an aggressive target for year 1, I’ve clearly gone head first into things and done almost 6 months worth of buying inside the first 5 weeks! I’ve found it thoroughly intoxicating and extremely enjoyable to be a part of.
Members of TSF have been great to work with and learn from. Some early guidance from @James32was super helpful and am very grateful. Then there’s all the deals done so far, having bought gold/silver coins and hand poured silver from @Auronum@StBeesSilver@BackyardBullion@kneehow2018@SilverAngel@Orpster@brnlx639@LiquidMetalsUK@silverseller@Nick1368@SilverTalent@Bullionstacker1993@Tangomachine@James32@modofantasma@FFposh@Chrispringle85@paulmoore who have all been welcoming and accommodating, making each of the sales dead easy.
I took a silver membership inside 24 hours as was keen to buy close to spot and figured the best deals wouldn’t make the 3 day timeframe (in fact some barely make 3 minutes) and it’s been well worth the small monthly fee so would highly recommend.
Consider myself extremely lucky to be in a position where I can afford to spend money on stacking and just as lucky to have found this place also. Actually went from focusing equally on silver and gold to focusing almost entirely on gold now and maybe a few bits of silver that I particularly like or something at really good value etc.
Have rambled on for long enough but just wanted to encourage newcomers to get to know contributors on the forum, encourage them also to take out a membership as it’ll help keep the place running and to say thanks to those I’ve interacted with thus far.
I hope to be able to enjoy being a part of this place over the coming years, and privileged enough to continue to build a stack that if I ever need to fall back on I may and if not, something my daughters can one day enjoy. Thanks all

EPNS is Electroplated nickel silver.
If they are all plated and you want to sell then either ebay or a local auction house might be your best bet.

Wasn’t Spam & Corned beef the cheap option when it came to meat? Seem to remember they were when I was a kid…
…and if you’re going to stack Beans, you may as well go for the best available 😅

 

My two-pence (warning, verbose). Supply and demand.
1) Yes, inflation is going up, so, people who have circa 50oz or less and are more "silver is interesting" or "I only keep a small float for a rainy day" and are probably exiting the market - i.e. selling. Pool of buyers is smaller.
2) The pool is getting smaller. Again, inflation, but, also, a lot more people have been buying silver/gold/metals over the last two-to-three years and are now "maxed out". Pool of buyers is smaller.
3) Some of those people who are "maxed out" are now sitting on their stack because they need the prices to rise again before buying. Pool of buyers is smaller.
4) For your 1% of stacks (circa 250oz of silver) this level of investment has filled the gap in their portfolio, so they no longer need to buy. Pool of buyers is smaller.
5) For those in the over 500oz of silver band (when 50oz of silver is 1oz gold for the sake of argument) this band are longer term stackers, so, while they will buy, with inflation up, they will not be able to buy as much "float". Pool of buyers is smaller.
6) For your "whales" or "big fish" (over 1000oz of silver), these veterans are likely trying to figure out how to get their stacks shifted or wound down. Pool of buyers is smaller.
7) Millennials (guilty by association) don't value "cash" as much, so have the naïve belief that their plastic card is all they need. Gen Z can't afford even basic things, so, forget that group too. Pool of buyers is smaller. 
8) I think, generally, people are starting to withdraw into themselves and buckle down. House prices are starting to cool down, people aren't going abroad as much; heating your home is meant to be 50% more expensive in a few months time, so people are building war chests. Pool of buyers is smaller.
 
Smaller pool of buyers, market slows down.
 
Also, the Sales threads on TSF seem a bit thin on the ground over the past few months - compared to 2021 where it was absolutely insane. This tells me that people are preferring to stick to their guns for now. There's a lot of silver at circa £23/Oz at the moment, and it's struggling to shift.

Ask a BBC journalist and they will tell you it is due to Brexit and climate change.

I just buy gold on day's that end in a " Y "
it is always a good day to buy gold  on those days 

I prefer the tarnished look! 

I am sure TSF members will try to help you, but...
Have actually looked at the marks yourself, and thought what they say or mean?
What do you see?
What do you think they mean?
You may think my response is unhelpful, but it will help you far more than simply telling you the answer, as it will help you to think for yourself.
It would also let others know what you already know, so they don't have to waste time telling you something you already know, and can spend more time helping you progress beyond that.
😎

Here is my humble collection (Pic Heavy) I dont have much but what i have i enjoy, the 4 royal mint Masterpeice medals at the back are my fav items, particularly the Ryder cup medal, engraved by Jody Clark with a mintage of 100. each one is 8 ounces of .999 hallmarked antiqued silver and they really gave me an interest in collecting again.
the gold jewellery is a mix of 18ct and 9ct (mostly 9) 


Added 0 minutes later... @danmc82 i finally got round to it 😁

A few Proof coins with COA’s from the Legendary Fighting Ships series and the History of Powered Flight series.
History of Powered Flight
Super Marine Spitfire 1oz Silver Proof




F-117 Night Hawk Stealth Fighter 1oz Silver Proof

 


 
China Clipper 1oz Silver Proof

 



Legendary Fighting Ships
Trireme Romano 1oz Silver Proof

 


 

1919 London Mint Gold Sovereign Enquiry from Germany
A well-known Blackpool dealer received this enquiry recently:
Dear Chards employee,
I spoke to one of your employees, Robin, just a few minutes ago. She was very kind, listened to my situation and gave me this email address.
I have a 1919 sovereign, which appears not to have a mint mark. If my (very basic) research is correct, a missing mint mark would imply the London mint, but on the other hand no sovereigns were minted in London in 1919.
This would mean that the coin I have is a forgery. However, I was at a local, reputable coin and metal dealer a month ago, and the coin had the right weight, diameter and thickness, so that the dealer was comfortable enough to buy it off me as bullion for about 330 pounds. 
I am intrigued however, because I do not understand why anyone would put in the time and effort to produce such a coin for possibly no gain.
Robin suggested the possibility of the mint mark having become illegible, and so I am sending you these photographs. I would be grateful if you were to have a look. Perhaps you can determine whether there was a mark that is now illegible.
I would be very thankful for any information you might provide to me regarding this coin.
Thank you.
Sincerely,
Eduardo ------

Not a great photo, but good enough to be happy about the absence of a mintmark, and not the world's worst fake.

A rather grainy look, enough to require closer examination.
Dear Eduardo, 
I have had a word with our Director who has mentioned that the coin is likely to be a fake sovereign, which might still test close enough to the actual metal weight and purity of an actual sovereign. 
We have written a blog on fakes, forgeries on sovereigns along with photos linked here https://www.chards.co.uk/blog/fakes-forgeries-and-counterfeit-gold-coins-and-sovereigns/167
Could you let us know where you got the item from? Did you sell the item locally?
Kind Regards,
Bhumika
Customer Service  
 
Dear Bhumika,
Thank you for taking a look at the sovereign. The coin has been in our family for more than 70 years. It belonged to my maternal grandfather, who was a jeweller in South America, in Ecuador. I don't know where he got it from.
I haven't sold the coin yet, but a month ago I asked a local coin dealer what he would give me for the sovereign, a 1910 St. Gaudens double eagle and a small collection of 18th century Spanish silver coins (16 of them, mostly 2 Real pieces).
I'm in Germany. The dealer's offer seemed consistent throughout: He offered me 380 euros for the sovereign, 1700 euros for the St. Gaudens 20 Dollar gold coin and 130 euros for the silver coins. I told him about the mismatch between the year and the mint mark (or lack thereof) of the sovereign, and he didn't seem to mind; he just weighed it and measured it.
I have considered trying to sell the coins online on my own in order to try to get more for them, but the sovereign presents a problem, because I don't really know how to describe it: "Selling a 7.99 g lump of 22 ct gold in the shape of a sovereign"?
What remains a mystery to me is why anyone would bother to make a forgery that has only a bullion worth equal to that of the real thing, especially since it's not a reproduction of a highly collectible coin either. It's a lot of work for no gain! 
Knowing this would be useful in order to include the information when selling, so if you know the history behind this, I'd certainly appreciate your sharing it!
Thanks again for your help!
Cheers,
Eduardo
 
The above is fairly typical of enquiries we receive most days.
Eduardo has done well to work out it's a fake coin, and sounds very ethical, so it's nice to try to help him.
It's also a compliment that someone in Germany reaches out to us here in Blackpool, England, ro help and advice.
Although I have written many times about the different reasons to counterfeit coins, and the high premium in the past for bullion sovereigns, it sounds like I need to create yet another blog / info page, to explain this, and ensure that we have a comprehensive guide (and a book).
His brief provenance notes place this coin as having been acquired in about 1950, which corresponds to the period when the Royal Mint were re-striking 1925 London Mint sovereigns, and the international premium on bullion sovereigns was likely to be between 20% and 50%, make counterfeiting highly profitable.
If we learn where he is based, I will share the information here.
Meanwhile, it is yet another interesting fake sovereign.
😎
 
 

Great to see as the national spokesperson for gambleaware in Wales and the leading provider of the national gambling treatment pathway this is great to see that you have done this despite facing such adversity 
Anyone on here who needs any support for addiction substance misuse of gambling messages are always open 
Www.parklandplace.co.uk
Sorry for going off topic but it's a subject close to my heart 

Remember to any newbie reading this, i have spoke here several times about me having a gambling problem in my 20s (my full story below)
Seeing my gold stack all together makes me even more proud of what ive managed to achieve, for someone who could never hold onto money   

I had to drop some new items off at safe deposit box yesterday, so took my camera along to finally see my gold stack together - viewing room table wasn't big enough to get everything into one shot  For someone who could never hold onto money in his 20s I think Ive done OK